Extract from Scottish Parliament questions: Depopulation in Rural and Island Communities - Jun 1

Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP)

The organisation Uist Beò recently shared a story about a global alliance manager for Hewlett Packard who was able to relocate to South Uist thanks to remote working. In its policy on addressing depopulation, what assessment has the Scottish Government made of similarly increasing remote working opportunities in the civil service, particularly when it comes to allowing civil servants to live on island communities?

The Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees (Emma Roddick)

I am grateful to Alasdair Allan for that important question. The Scottish Government is completely supportive of flexible, remote and hybrid working options for our workforce. Our national islands plan makes a commitment to demonstrating that jobs and careers can be sustainable and successful on our islands. Our islands policy team, for example, includes those who are from the islands or who live on them and who have specific expertise on islands policy. Furthermore, our carbon-neutral islands project funds community development officers who support individuals to return to their islands.